Prawn fishers are often behind game changing innovations that are taken up across the whole sector. But it takes time and money to find out what technology already exists, who to talk to, adapt an innovation in a business and to report back.
The ACPF’s Fisher Innovation program supports fishers to investigate a solution to a problem, aligns them with a relevant ACPF project underway for technical assistance, and assists with travel costs to look at solutions and to report back to other fishing businesses on their findings. Its application is simple and short.
The ACPF may also put forward prawn fishing innovations for further investment in FRDC’s ‘Finnovation’ fund. FRDC’s fund is designed to match RD&E funds with venture capital to develop and commercialise an innovation and is due to open in 2025.
Up to $11,000 per project is on offer from the ACPF for up to four Fisher Innovation projects per year; three from the ACPF’s People Development Program (2022-2026) and one from the ACPF’s Environment Program (May 2024 – June 2026). If bursary funds aren’t allocated, the ACPF will likely put another invitation out in mid 2025.